i'm wondering if anyone can give me some advice please?
i have just finished my level 1 & 2 course in manual bookkeeping, just have to wait until feb to take my level 2 exam,
i was hoping to set up as a bookkeeper working from home but i have no idea on how to do that,
since september i have applied for numerous jobs in this field or relating to it, and am feeling totally worn out, have had many rejections, which has knocked even more confidence out of me, (not that i had much to start with!!)
i was hoping that by now i would be working in this field gaining practical hands on experience which would help me, sorry all feeling deflated.
i know that to start up myself i will need to pass my level 2, and have a practicing license and have indemnity insurance, is there anything else that i need to have?
i would greatly appreciate anyone's help and advice on this matter as i havent got the first clue of starting and running my own business, and now i'm even doubting that i could this for real!!
I would say that if you don't have experience then would be very difficult to set up as self employed.
If you have had rejections looking for a job maybe the best way to gain experience if you can afford to not have work is to find a voluntary bookkeeping role - many sports and social clubs are desperate for help with their bookkeeping/accounts, charities etc
Or if you write to some companies saying you will work for free as a month trial and then proove yourself and get a wage for that job after the month.
If you do still want to go down the route of employment rather than self employment, why not try registering with a recruitment agency. You may only get temporary jobs to begin with but they will give you a variety of experience and may lead to permanent work.
If you do want to try the self employment route, you will need a practising certificate with the ICB and professional indemnity insurance. Contact HMRC to start making national insurance payments and if then start advertising, mailers and posters up in local businesses such as post offices is a good place to start.
You do not need a practising certificate or anything else to set up as a self employed book-keeper. You do not need to be a member of any institute or association. You do not even need any qualifications. You do need to pay HMRC for MLR and it really helps if you have experience, not just of book-keeping but in how different types of business are or should be run in order to give advice relevant to the client.
If you are a member of the ICB, you are not allowed to offer your services as a self employed bookkeeper without a practising license. If you are not a member of the ICB then Semsley is correct, you just need to pay HMRC for money laundering.
